EP3012612B1 - Method and device for determining the density of a fluid - Google Patents
Method and device for determining the density of a fluid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3012612B1 EP3012612B1 EP15189886.3A EP15189886A EP3012612B1 EP 3012612 B1 EP3012612 B1 EP 3012612B1 EP 15189886 A EP15189886 A EP 15189886A EP 3012612 B1 EP3012612 B1 EP 3012612B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- excitation
- oscillation
- resonator
- circuit
- amplitude
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 23
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims description 10
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 claims description 80
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 claims description 56
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 38
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000013213 extrapolation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 claims 7
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 19
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000001739 density measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012935 Averaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005352 clarification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000691 measurement method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013139 quantization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004936 stimulating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N9/00—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
- G01N9/002—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity using variation of the resonant frequency of an element vibrating in contact with the material submitted to analysis
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N9/00—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
- G01N9/002—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity using variation of the resonant frequency of an element vibrating in contact with the material submitted to analysis
- G01N2009/006—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity using variation of the resonant frequency of an element vibrating in contact with the material submitted to analysis vibrating tube, tuning fork
Definitions
- the invention according to claim 1 relates to a method for determining the density from the period of a flexural oscillator determined from the period of a resonant oscillation mode, the period being determined from a freely damped oscillating oscillator and alternating between a forced undamped oscillation and a free oscillation with decreasing amplitude of the oscillation becomes.
- the arrangement for performing the method according to claim 9 includes i.a. In addition to a bending oscillator, an excitation circuit and means for frequency and amplitude measurement as well as a periodically switching interrupter that interrupts the excitation circuit for the measurement.
- the measurement of the density of fluid media with a bending vibrator is based on the fact that the vibration of a hollow body filled with a sample to be examined depends on the filling of the vibrating tube, i.e. on the mass or, if the volume is constant, on the density of the medium filled.
- a measuring cell contains the vibratable structure, namely a hollow, U-shaped, glass or metallic tubular body. It is excited to vibrate electronically.
- the two legs of the U-shaped tube form the spring elements of the vibrator.
- the natural frequency of the U-shaped oscillating tube is only influenced by that part of the sample which actually participates in the oscillation. This volume V participating in the oscillation is limited by the stationary oscillation nodes at the clamping points of the oscillator tube. If the vibrating tube is filled with the sample at least up to these clamping points, the same, precisely defined volume V always takes part in the vibration and the mass of the sample can therefore be assumed to be proportional to its density. Overfilling the transducer beyond the clamping points is irrelevant for the measurement. For this reason, the vibrator can also be used to measure the densities of fluids that flow through the vibrator.
- the density of the fuid thus determines the specific frequencies in which the U-shaped tube vibrates. If precision glass tubes or metal tubes are used, their properties vary depending on the density and viscosity of the liquid. The resonance frequencies are evaluated by suitable excitation and decrease of the vibrations and the density of the filled fluid sample becomes from the period certainly. The transducer is adjusted with fluids of known density and so the measurements can be evaluated.
- Such density oscillators or bending oscillators have been known for a long time and are produced in a wide variety of embodiments with regard to excitation and reduction of the oscillation.
- the different means for stimulating and reducing the resulting natural vibrations can e.g. using magnetic coils and magnets, piezoelectric elements, capacitive scanning, etc. These means should preferably be attached to the vibrator in such a way that they do not lie in the nodes of the examined natural vibration.
- the oscillator In order to achieve high accuracy results for these measurements, the oscillator must be designed in such a way that it experiences the lowest possible damping or is of high quality.
- the high quality of the transducer results in a narrow bandwidth of the resonance frequencies. It is therefore not practical to excite the natural frequencies with undirected excitation (e.g. noise) or individual impulses.
- the excitation takes place with periodic signals, for example rectangular pulses or sinusoidal waves. This can be done using a normal control loop or a phase-shifted feedback.
- the acceptance signal e.g. regulated to the maximum amplitude and thus to the natural vibration of the bending oscillator.
- the oscillator is thus excited to a forced oscillation in its resonance frequency and the density of the medium filled in the oscillator is determined from the determination of the period of this oscillation.
- the output signal of the means for taking off the vibration is phase-shifted by 90 degrees on the mechanical system, amplified and this periodic signal is used to excite the vibrator.
- the bending vibrator thus vibrates in a forced vibration.
- Fig. 1 shows a basic circuit diagram of such an excitation amplifier:
- the bending vibrator 1 is clamped in a holding means 2.
- Excitation takes place here, for example, by means of piezo element 3 in the vicinity of the clamping point of the first leg of the vibrator, and removal takes place using a second piezo element 4 on the second leg of the vibrator.
- a phase rotator 6 and an amplifier 7 in combination form the simple excitation amplifier.
- the output signal of the take-off means is amplified and phase-rotated by 90 ° and fed to the means for vibration excitation.
- the oscillator can be "swung up" into a state of resonance oscillation.
- the period or frequency of the vibration is measured with the frequency meter 5 and fed to an evaluation unit for density determination.
- Known bending vibrators are operated according to this principle with analog and digital excitation amplifiers, and the density of the fluid medium to be examined is determined in a known manner from the frequency or period of the vibrator.
- the actual density of fluid media is strongly dependent on the temperature. As a rule, this is at least measured and / or the entire transducer or the sample is tempered to a specific measuring temperature using suitable means (e.g. Peltier elements).
- suitable means e.g. Peltier elements
- the different behavior of samples with the same density and different viscosity in the transducer means that the viscosity of the sample has a relatively large influence on the measurement result and must be taken into account. In addition to its influence on the determined density, the viscosity manifests itself above all through its influence on the damping or quality of the transducer.
- a wide variety of methods for correcting the viscosity-dependent density value are known, which evaluate a parameter representative of this damping and correct the density measurement. This is usually done based on additionally excited vibrations in the area of so-called harmonics by considering the phase relationship for excitation.
- the quality measurement can also be carried out here by measuring the decaying amplitude with periodic decoupling of the exciter, which is theoretically the optimal solution for determining the quality. This avoids any inaccuracies in the excitation (e.g. non-linearities and / or phase distortion of filters, etc.).
- the period of the forced fundamental oscillation is generally used for the evaluation for density measurement.
- the high quality and thus the resulting narrow bandwidth of the transducer require very small modulation frequencies in the order of 1/1000 ... 1/2000 of the natural frequency.
- the modulation frequency is in the range of 1/3 ... used 1/10 Hz. This results in a period of 3 ... 10 sec.
- the advantages of determining the period duration by means of forced oscillation (continuous measurement method, parallel phase control) and the advantages of the measurement independent of the excitation are now proposed to combine the decay behavior for the measurement of the quality and to examine both the quality and the period of the transducer directly with a continuous decay measurement and to evaluate it with regard to the viscosity-corrected density. Due to the periodic measurement of the decay behavior, there is no longer the disadvantage of a single measurement. Since the entire determination of the density and viscosity correction is based on the decay behavior, influencing the period or phase measurement from the renewed oscillation of the excitation amplifier circuit is no longer a problem.
- Fig. 2 shows a basic circuit diagram of the invention:
- the excitation or excitation unit 13 sets the vibrator 11 in resonance. This can be done using a normal control loop or a phase-shifted feedback. (eg -90 ° resonance condition of the transducer).
- a phase-shifted feedback eg -90 ° resonance condition of the transducer.
- the period or frequency of the vibration is measured with the frequency meter 15 and fed to an evaluation unit for density determination.
- both the period and the amplitude of the forced resonant oscillation are determined only after the exciter has been decoupled, ie. only the decaying vibration of the bending vibrator is examined.
- the excitation therefore has no influence on the measurement itself - and also does not require any information about the current measurement cycle.
- the switch or interrupter 19 periodically interrupts the excitation of the vibrator.
- the excitation circuit is interrupted for a period of time t1 via this switch 19 and the decay behavior of the oscillator 11 is examined.
- the switch is then closed again and the excitation circuit 13 forces the vibrating oscillator 11, which has its damped free resonance, into an forced undamped oscillation again.
- the excitation circuit is preferably closed until the forced resonance oscillation of the oscillator oscillates in maximum amplitude or has reached the maximum amplitude.
- Fig. 3 shows such a decay of the transducer. After decoupling the excitation circuit at time t, the amplitude of the vibration will decay faster or slower over time depending on the quality of the vibrator.
- the actual resonance frequency or period P0 will differ slightly from that of the forced oscillation (period P1), since the non-linearities and time errors of the excitation circuit are eliminated and the free oscillator oscillates in its resonance frequency.
- the picture shows a greatly exaggerated difference between the periods.
- Fig. 4 shows the picture of the periodic switching on and off of the exciter (switch in position S0 - oscillator vibrates high in resonance) with the corresponding signals for amplitude A as a function of time.
- the amplitude increases with the transient process.
- the amplitude curve during excitation follows a function of the type 1 - e - t ⁇ ,
- the switch is opened (switch in position S1), the oscillator oscillates here damped, the amplitude shows the decay behavior and in this period the oscillation is evaluated with regard to frequency and amplitude.
- the switch is closed again, the oscillator swings up again and the forced oscillation is excited again. This process is repeated periodically (t3, t4, ).
- the control of this period can e.g. in each case take place via the amplitude signal of the oscillation, both in the oscillation and in the decay, the reaching of a certain amplitude value can be used and the period for switching switch 19 can be used therefrom.
- the excitation gain can be switched on and off not strictly periodically. The amplitude does not have to decrease to 0 (complete decay) but it can be coupled in earlier.
- the measurement of the frequency of the vibrator can be carried out with a frequency comparison measurement, which is very precise. (Phase drift of the beat).
- the decay process is interrupted after a predetermined time interval or when a predetermined amplitude value is reached and the quality is calculated by extrapolation of the amplitude values obtained and / or the width of the decay window or the time interval selected for the decay is constant is held or selected.
- the decay process therefore does not have to take place completely, since the quality can be calculated by extrapolation of the amplitude values even with a small drop in amplitude.
- the decay window can thus have a constant width which is independent of the filling of the oscillator. The accuracy of the quality measurement thus increases with decreasing quality, since the difference in amplitude within the constant decay window increases - and thus the difference in relation to constant noise.
- the interval for switching on and off is preferably determined for the respective oscillator.
- the duration ⁇ 0: ⁇ 1 of the time intervals for the excitation by decay can be in a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 3. This is also due to the available "excitation energy", i.e. Voltage at the piezo crystal, current through the coil, is affected, since shorter start-up times can be achieved through higher energy input).
- the interrupter or switch 19, which interrupts the excitation amplification is only attached to the output of the excitation amplifier circuit.
- the resonant circuit of the excitation amplification can be kept in phase with the period of the bending oscillator even in the event of an interruption, and if the excitation amplification is switched on again, the original amplitude can be reached again more quickly due to the in-phase excitation.
- the excitation amplifier can be located before or after the DAC.
- the decaying oscillation or its decaying sine is analyzed for frequency and amplitude and from these two values the density of the medium in the oscillator is determined in an evaluation and display unit.
- viscosity corrections and filling error detections can be carried out.
- the adjustment curves and adjustment constants required for this are stored in the control and evaluation unit after adjustment measurements on standards of known density and viscosity.
- the decay curves can be measured over periods of any length, for example, for a metal oscillator with a resonance frequency of 4..5 kHz (corresponding to a period of approx. 200 ... 250 ⁇ s) for an air-filled oscillator with a decay time ⁇ 1 of approx. 65 msec.
- Decay periods of less than 1 second are generally preferred in order to be able to carry out the measurements sufficiently quickly.
- long measurement times occur because the amplitude of the transducer changes only slowly due to the low damping.
- the duration of the decay measurement is also selected depending on the accuracy, electronic components and computing power.
- the frequency and amplitude can be determined, for example, by means of a Fourier analysis, and the frequency can also be determined, for example, directly by mixing a local oscillator with the measurement signal or by determining the zero crossings of the measurement signal.
- the amplitude can, for example, be measured directly and independently of frequency, by means of sliding maxima, etc. With direct measurement of the amplitude, each individual ADC sample, ie each individual measured value from the ADC, can be assigned its own amplitude value.
- Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the circuit structure of a bending oscillator according to the invention: switch 9 is closed in the initial state.
- the bending vibrator is advantageously equipped with a unit for excitation and a unit for acceptance in the form of two piezo elements for excitation 3 and acceptance 4. Excitation and acceptance take place via analog voltage signals.
- the signal from the take-off unit 4 is digitized by an analog-digital converter (ADC) and passed into a programmable digital module 8, which takes over the central control and regulating tasks here.
- ADC analog-digital converter
- This central component 8 of a digital version must ensure the fastest possible signal processing, this can e.g. using a ⁇ controller or DSP (digital signal processor). Because of the achievable control speed, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is preferably used.
- Fig.1 Exciter amplifier circuit described is implemented with this component and a further digital-analog processor, the control signal of which drives the excitation unit 3.
- the amplified output signal is 90 ° out of phase with the input signal and excites the oscillator to a forced oscillation.
- any electrical components can be used to excite and decrease the vibration, for example a combination of current-carrying coils and permanent magnets. Excitation and acceptance can also take place at other points on the transducer, e.g. on the side of the legs.
- the coil currents of the coils are used as the output and control signal.
- a central component of the arrangement is now an electronic switch 9, which is also controlled by the central module 8, i.e. periodically opened and closed.
- the frequency or period duration of the oscillation of the bending oscillator is determined by comparison with the signal of a local oscillator or directly by mixing a local oscillator with the measurement signal or comparison of the oscillation signal of a local oscillator with the measurement signal.
- the local oscillator is controlled in such a way that the two frequencies are of the same size and thus the first term becomes a pure amplitude (DC signal), the second term can can be easily filtered due to the large difference in the signals.
- the vibrator will not only be excited in one resonant mode, but at the same time a second resonant mode, e.g. the first harmonic to excite with the excitation amplifier. In the case of a digital excitation amplifier, this can be done simultaneously by superimposing the respective excitation signals.
- an additional filter 10 is provided, which again separates the response signal of the bending vibrator into the two frequencies.
- the frequency-independent and instantaneous amplitude measurement assigns each individual ADC sample its own amplitude value, so that measurements do not have to be carried out over an entire oscillation period.
- an amplitude-independent determination of the current phase is possible: Since a corresponding complex data point can be assigned to each individual input sample, an instantaneous determination of the phase position of the oscillator is also possible. The period or frequency can thus be calculated by simply differentiating the phase. This measurement is therefore independent of the amplitude measurement or the current oscillator frequency.
- a method according to the invention for measuring the density from the period of a resonant oscillation mode of a flexural oscillator is also provided, the oscillator being set into resonant undamped oscillation with an excitation amplifier circuit, which method is characterized in that the oscillator passes through ⁇ t 1 during a time interval an excitation amplifier is forced into undamped oscillation, the excitation of the forced oscillation is interrupted periodically, the oscillator then vibrating freely and damped according to its quality during a time interval ⁇ t 2 , the period of the free damped oscillation being used for the density determination, and after the measurement of the vibrators is again excited to undamped vibration.
- This method is designed with the features of claims 2 to 8.
- a control and / or regulating circuit for a method for density measurement of the above type can be characterized in that an interrupter is provided in the excitation circuit, which excites the oscillator for undamped oscillation, which is repeatable at defined time intervals between the excitation circuit for undamped oscillation of the bending oscillator and without specifying an excitation, the damping oscillating bending oscillator switches over and the period of the oscillation is measured to determine the density with an open excitation circuit.
- This control or regulating circuit is designed with the features of claims 9 to 13.
- the interrupter or switch 19, which interrupts the excitation amplification is preferably attached to the output of the excitation amplifier circuit.
- the resonant circuit of the excitation amplification can be kept in phase with the period of the bending oscillator 1 even in the event of an interruption, and when it is switched on again, the excitation amplifier can be restored to the original amplitude more quickly due to the excitation in phase.
- the excitation amplifier can be located before or after the DAC.
- the interrupter is installed after the excitation amplifier in the excitation amplifier circuit and the amplified output signal for the amplifier circuit remains in phase with the bending oscillator. This ensures that the excitation amplifier circuit remains in phase with the oscillator. When the switch is closed again, the frequency of the forced oscillation does not have to reset, but is "forced" with the correct phase relationship.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
- Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung nach Anspruch 1 betrifft ein Verfahren zur Dichtebestimmung aus der Periodendauer eines Biegeschwingers ermittelt aus Periodendauer einer resonaten Schwingungsmode, wobei die Periodendauer aus einem frei gedämpft schwingenden Schwinger bestimmt wird und zwischen einer erzwungenen ungedämpften Schwingung und einer freien Schwingung mit abnehmender Amplitude der Schwingung periodisch gewechselt wird. Die Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach Anspruch 9 umfasst u.a. neben einem Biegeschwinger, auch einen Erregerkreis und Mitteln für die Frequenz- und Amplitudenmessung als auch einen periodisch schaltenden Unterbrecher, der den Erregerkreis für die Messung unterbricht.The invention according to
Die Messung der Dichte von fluiden Medien mit einem Biegeschwinger beruht auf der Tatsache, dass die Schwingung eines mit einer zu untersuchenden Probe gefüllten Hohlkörpers von der Füllung des Schwingerrohrs abhängt, d.h. von der Masse bzw. wenn das Volumen konstant ist, von der Dichte des eingefüllten Mediums.The measurement of the density of fluid media with a bending vibrator is based on the fact that the vibration of a hollow body filled with a sample to be examined depends on the filling of the vibrating tube, i.e. on the mass or, if the volume is constant, on the density of the medium filled.
Eine Messzelle enthält das schwingfähige Gebilde, nämlich einen hohlen, U-förmig gebogenen, gläsernen oder metallischen Rohrkörper. Dieser wird auf elektronischem Weg zu einer Schwingung angeregt. Die beiden Schenkel des U-förmigen Rohrs bilden die Federelemente des Schwingers. Die Eigenfrequenz des U-förmigen Schwingerrohrs wird nur von jenem Teil der Probe beeinflusst, welcher an der Schwingung tatsächlich teilnimmt. Dieses an der Schwingung teilnehmende Volumen V ist durch die ruhenden Schwingungsknoten an den Einspannstellen des Schwinger-Rohrs begrenzt. Ist das Schwingerrohr mindestens bis zu diesen Einspannstellen mit der Probe gefüllt, nimmt immer dasselbe, genau definierte Volumen V an der Schwingung teil und die Masse der Probe kann daher proportional zu ihrer Dichte angenommen werden. Eine Überfüllung des Schwingers über die Einspannstellen hinaus ist für die Messung belanglos. Aus diesem Grund können mit dem Schwinger auch Dichten von Fluiden gemessen werden, die den Schwinger durchströmen.A measuring cell contains the vibratable structure, namely a hollow, U-shaped, glass or metallic tubular body. It is excited to vibrate electronically. The two legs of the U-shaped tube form the spring elements of the vibrator. The natural frequency of the U-shaped oscillating tube is only influenced by that part of the sample which actually participates in the oscillation. This volume V participating in the oscillation is limited by the stationary oscillation nodes at the clamping points of the oscillator tube. If the vibrating tube is filled with the sample at least up to these clamping points, the same, precisely defined volume V always takes part in the vibration and the mass of the sample can therefore be assumed to be proportional to its density. Overfilling the transducer beyond the clamping points is irrelevant for the measurement. For this reason, the vibrator can also be used to measure the densities of fluids that flow through the vibrator.
Die Dichte des Fuids bestimmt also die spezifischen Frequenzen, in denen das U-förmige Rohr schwingt. Verwendet man Präzisions-Glasrohre oder -Metallrohre, so variieren deren Eigenschaften je nach Dichte und Viskosität der Flüssigkeit. Die ResonanzFrequenzen werden durch geeignete Anregung und Abnahme der Schwingungen ausgewertet und aus der Periodendauer wird die Dichte der eingefüllten fluiden Probe bestimmt. Der Schwinger wird mit Fluiden bekannter Dichte justiert und so werden die Messungen auswertbar.The density of the fuid thus determines the specific frequencies in which the U-shaped tube vibrates. If precision glass tubes or metal tubes are used, their properties vary depending on the density and viscosity of the liquid. The resonance frequencies are evaluated by suitable excitation and decrease of the vibrations and the density of the filled fluid sample becomes from the period certainly. The transducer is adjusted with fluids of known density and so the measurements can be evaluated.
Für die Periodendauer P und -Dichte p gilt allgemein:
Derartige Dichteschwinger bzw. Biegeschwinger sind schon seit langem bekannt und werden in unterschiedlichsten Ausführungsformen hinsichtlich Anregung und Abnahme der Schwingung hergestellt. Die unterschiedlichen Mittel zu Anregung und Abnahme der sich ergebenden Eigenschwingungen können z.B. mittels Magnetspulen und Magneten, piezoelektrischen Elementen, kapazitiver Abtastung etc. erfolgen. Dabei sind diese Mittel am Schwinger bevorzugt so anzubringen, dass sie nicht in den Knotenpunkten der untersuchten Eigenschwingung liegen.Such density oscillators or bending oscillators have been known for a long time and are produced in a wide variety of embodiments with regard to excitation and reduction of the oscillation. The different means for stimulating and reducing the resulting natural vibrations can e.g. using magnetic coils and magnets, piezoelectric elements, capacitive scanning, etc. These means should preferably be attached to the vibrator in such a way that they do not lie in the nodes of the examined natural vibration.
Um für diese Messungen Ergebnisse hoher Genauigkeit zu erzielen, muss der Schwinger so ausgeführt sein, dass er möglichst geringe Dämpfung erfährt bzw. über hohe Güte verfügt.In order to achieve high accuracy results for these measurements, the oscillator must be designed in such a way that it experiences the lowest possible damping or is of high quality.
Die hohe Güte des Schwingers resultiert in einer schmalen Bandbreite der Resonanzfrequenzen. Damit ist es nicht praktikabel, die Eigenfrequenzen mit ungerichteter Anregung (z.B. Rauschen) oder einzelnen Impulsen zu erregen.The high quality of the transducer results in a narrow bandwidth of the resonance frequencies. It is therefore not practical to excite the natural frequencies with undirected excitation (e.g. noise) or individual impulses.
Die Anregung erfolgt mit periodischen Signalen, beispielsweise Rechteckpulsen oder sinusförmigen Wellen. Dies kann über einen normalen Regelkreis oder über eine phasenverschobene Rückkopplung erfolgen.The excitation takes place with periodic signals, for example rectangular pulses or sinusoidal waves. This can be done using a normal control loop or a phase-shifted feedback.
In einem Regelkreis wird mit dem Abnahmesignal z.B. auf die maximale Amplitude und damit auf die Eigenschwingung des Biegeschwingers geregelt. Der Schwinger wird so zu einer erzwungenen Schwingung in seiner Resonanzfrequenz angeregt und aus der Bestimmung der Periodendauer dieser Schwingung wird die Dichte des im Schwinger gefüllten Mediums bestimmt.In a control loop, the acceptance signal e.g. regulated to the maximum amplitude and thus to the natural vibration of the bending oscillator. The oscillator is thus excited to a forced oscillation in its resonance frequency and the density of the medium filled in the oscillator is determined from the determination of the period of this oscillation.
Über eine Feedback-Schleife wird das Ausgangssignal des Abnahmemittels der Schwingung um 90 Grad am mechanischen System phasenverschoben, verstärkt und dieses periodische Signal für die Anregung des Schwingers verwendet. Damit schwingt der Biegeschwinger in einer erzwungenen Schwingung.Via a feedback loop, the output signal of the means for taking off the vibration is phase-shifted by 90 degrees on the mechanical system, amplified and this periodic signal is used to excite the vibrator. The bending vibrator thus vibrates in a forced vibration.
Der Biegeschwinger 1 ist in einem Haltemittel 2 eingespannt. Die Erregung erfolgt hier beispielsweise mittels Piezoelement 3 in der Nähe der Einspannstelle des ersten Schenkels des Schwingers, die Abnahme erfolgt mit einem zweiten Piezoelement 4 am zweiten Schenkel des Schwingers. Ein Phasendreher 6 und ein Verstärker 7 in Kombination bilden den einfachen Erregerverstärker. Das Ausgangssignal des Abnahmemittels wird verstärkt und um 90 ° phasengedreht und dem Mittel zur Schwingungserregung zugeführt. Mit einem derartigen Erregerverstärker kann der Schwinger in einen Zustand der Resonanzschwingung "hochgeschwungen" werden. Die Periodendauer bzw. Frequenz der Schwingung wird mit dem Frequenzmesser 5 gemessen und einer Auswerteeinheit zur Dichtebestimmung zugeführt.
The
Bekannte Biegeschwinger werden nach diesem Prinzip mit analogen und digitalen Erregerverstärkern betrieben und aus der Frequenz bzw. Periodendauer des Schwingers wird in bekannter Weise die Dichte des zu untersuchenden fluiden Mediums ermittelt.Known bending vibrators are operated according to this principle with analog and digital excitation amplifiers, and the density of the fluid medium to be examined is determined in a known manner from the frequency or period of the vibrator.
Die tatsächliche Dichte fluider Medien ist stark von der Temperatur abhängig. Diese wird im Regelfall zumindest gemessen und/oder der gesamte Schwinger bzw. die Probe wird auf eine bestimmte Messtemperatur mit geeigneten Mitteln (z.B. Peltierelementen) temperiert.The actual density of fluid media is strongly dependent on the temperature. As a rule, this is at least measured and / or the entire transducer or the sample is tempered to a specific measuring temperature using suitable means (e.g. Peltier elements).
Bestimmt man die Dichte mit dem Biegeschwinger, so hat durch das unterschiedliche Verhalten von Proben gleicher Dichte unterschiedlicher Viskosität im Schwinger auch die Viskosität der Probe einen relativ großen Einfluss auf das Messergebnis und muss Berücksichtigung finden. Die Viskosität äußert sich neben ihrem Einfluss auf die ermittelte Dichte vor allem auch durch ihren Einfluss auf die Dämpfung bzw. Güte des Schwingers.If you determine the density with the bending transducer, the different behavior of samples with the same density and different viscosity in the transducer means that the viscosity of the sample has a relatively large influence on the measurement result and must be taken into account. In addition to its influence on the determined density, the viscosity manifests itself above all through its influence on the damping or quality of the transducer.
Unterschiedlichste Verfahren zur Korrektur des viskositätsabhängigen Dichtewertes sind bekannt, die einen für diese Dämpfung repräsentativen Parameter auswerten und die Dichtemessung korrigieren. Dies erfolgt zumeist basierend auf zusätzlich angeregten Schwingungen im Bereich von sogenannten Oberwellen durch Betrachtung der Phasenbeziehung zur Anregung. Alternativ bekannt ist beispielsweise die Verwendung eines überlagerten Regelkreises, der die Amplitude des Anregungssignals variiert, um eine konstante Schwingungsamplitude zu erhalten. Die über das Anregesignal eingebrachte Energie entspricht somit der Dämpfung des Systems und kann zur Gütebestimmung herangezogen werden.A wide variety of methods for correcting the viscosity-dependent density value are known, which evaluate a parameter representative of this damping and correct the density measurement. This is usually done based on additionally excited vibrations in the area of so-called harmonics by considering the phase relationship for excitation. As an alternative, it is known, for example, to use a superimposed control loop which varies the amplitude of the excitation signal in order to obtain a constant oscillation amplitude. The energy introduced via the excitation signal thus corresponds to the damping of the system and can be used to determine the quality.
Die Gütemessung kann hier aber auch durch Messung der abklingenden Amplitude bei periodischem Abkoppeln des Erregers erfolgen, diese ist theoretisch die optimale Lösung zur Ermittlung der Güte. Dadurch werden jegliche Ungenauigkeiten der Anregung (z.B. Nicht-Linearitäten und/oder Phasenverzerrungen von Filtern, etc.) vermieden.The quality measurement can also be carried out here by measuring the decaying amplitude with periodic decoupling of the exciter, which is theoretically the optimal solution for determining the quality. This avoids any inaccuracies in the excitation (e.g. non-linearities and / or phase distortion of filters, etc.).
Bei den hohen verwendeten Güten der Schwinger besitzen diese allerdings den Nachteil von langen Messzeiten, stellen immer nur eine Einzelmessung dar und beeinflussen auch die Periodendauer der erzwungenen Schwingung. Bevorzugt werden daher keine Unterbrechungen des Schwingers nach dem Einschwingen durchgeführt.Given the high quality of the transducers used, however, they have the disadvantage of long measuring times, are always only a single measurement and also influence the period of the forced vibration. It is therefore preferable not to interrupt the vibrator after the transient has settled.
In all diesen bekannten Anordnungen wird die Periodendauer der erzwungenen Grundschwingung im Regelfall für die Auswertung zur Dichtemessung verwendet.In all these known arrangements, the period of the forced fundamental oscillation is generally used for the evaluation for density measurement.
Die Nachteile derartiger Anordnungen sind beispielsweise bei der Amplitudenmodulation, dass die Resonanzfrequenz nicht exakt gemessen wird, da auch nicht lineare Verzerrungen (Elektronik, IIR Filter) wie auch zeitliche Verzögerungen (Zeitquantisierung) des ADC (Analog-Digital-Konverter) und/oder DAC (Digital-Analog-Konverter)- Signals eine Rolle spielen.The disadvantages of such arrangements are, for example in the case of amplitude modulation, that the resonance frequency is not measured exactly, since non-linear distortions (electronics, IIR filters) as well as time delays (time quantization) of the ADC (analog-digital converter) and / or DAC ( Digital-to-analog converter) - signals play a role.
Zusätzlich verlangen die hohen Güten und somit die daraus resultierende geringe Bandbreite des Schwingers sehr kleine Modulationsfrequenzen in der Größenordnung von 1/1000 ... 1/2000 der Eigenfrequenz.In addition, the high quality and thus the resulting narrow bandwidth of the transducer require very small modulation frequencies in the order of 1/1000 ... 1/2000 of the natural frequency.
Beispielsweise werden für Resonanzfrequenzen im Bereich von 300 Hz (Glasschwinger) bis 5000 Hz (Metall), und Gütewerten von 10... 5'000 (Glas) und 10 .. 14'000 (Metall) die Modulationsfrequenz im Bereich von 1/3 ... 1/10 Hz verwendet. Damit ergeben sich für den Periodendurchlauf 3...10 sec.For example, for resonance frequencies in the range from 300 Hz (glass vibrator) to 5000 Hz (metal), and quality values of 10 ... 5,000 (glass) and 10 .. 14,000 (metal), the modulation frequency is in the range of 1/3 ... used 1/10 Hz. This results in a period of 3 ... 10 sec.
Je geringer die Modulationsfrequenz ist, desto länger dauert die Abklingmessung der Güte, da im allgemeinen ein neuer Messwert einmal pro Periode der Modulationsfrequenz verfügbar ist. Also je nach Medium alle 3 bis 10 sec. Zusätzlich ist je nach erforderlicher Genauigkeit eine zusätzliche Mittelung nötig.The lower the modulation frequency, the longer the decay measurement of the quality takes, since a new measured value is generally available once per period of the modulation frequency. So every 3 to 10 seconds depending on the medium. In addition, depending on the required accuracy, an additional averaging is necessary.
Erfindungsgemäß wird nunmehr vorgeschlagen, die Vorteile der Bestimmung der Periodendauer mittels erzwungener Schwingung (kontinuierliches Messverfahren, parallele Phasenregelung) und die Vorteile der von der Anregung unabhängigen Messung des Abklingverhaltens für die Messung der Güte zu kombinieren und sowohl die Güte als auch die Periodendauer des Schwingers direkt mit einer kontinuierlichen Abklingmessung zu untersuchen und hinsichtlich der viskositätskorrigierten Dichte auszuwerten.
Durch die periodische Messung des Abklingverhaltens besteht hier der Nachteil einer nur einmaligen Messung nicht mehr. Da die gesamte Bestimmung der Dichte und Viskositätskorrektur aus dem Abklingverhalten erfolgt, ist auch die Beeinflussung der Perioden- bzw. Phasenmessung aus dem erneuten Hochschwingen des Erregerverstärkerkreises kein Problem mehr.According to the invention, the advantages of determining the period duration by means of forced oscillation (continuous measurement method, parallel phase control) and the advantages of the measurement independent of the excitation are now proposed to combine the decay behavior for the measurement of the quality and to examine both the quality and the period of the transducer directly with a continuous decay measurement and to evaluate it with regard to the viscosity-corrected density.
Due to the periodic measurement of the decay behavior, there is no longer the disadvantage of a single measurement. Since the entire determination of the density and viscosity correction is based on the decay behavior, influencing the period or phase measurement from the renewed oscillation of the excitation amplifier circuit is no longer a problem.
Auch können hier bei geringeren Güten des Schwingers höhere Genauigkeiten erzielt werden.Higher accuracies can also be achieved here with lower vibrator qualities.
Erfindungsgemäß wird nun vorgeschlagen, dass sowohl die Periodendauer als auch die Amplitude der erzwungenen resonanten Schwingung erst nach dem Entkoppeln des Erregers bestimmt werden, d.h.. es wird erst die abklingende Schwingung des Biegeschwingers untersucht. Die Erregung hat somit keinen Einfluss auf die Messung an sich - und benötigt auch keine Information über den aktuellen Messzyklus. Der Schalter bzw. Unterbrecher 19 unterbricht dafür periodisch die Erregung des Schwingers. Der Erregerkreis wird für eine Zeitdauer t1 über diesen Schalter 19 unterbrochen und das Abklingverhalten des Schwingers 11 untersucht. Danach wird der Schalter wieder geschlossen und der Erregerkreis 13 zwingt den in seiner gedämpften freien Resonanz schwingenden Schwinger 11 wieder in eine erzwungene ungedämpfte Schwingung. Bevorzugt wird der Erregerkreis so lange geschlossen, bis die erzwungene Resonanzschwingung des Schwingers in maximaler Amplitude schwingt bzw. die maximale Amplitude erreicht hat.According to the invention, it is now proposed that both the period and the amplitude of the forced resonant oscillation are determined only after the exciter has been decoupled, ie. only the decaying vibration of the bending vibrator is examined. The excitation therefore has no influence on the measurement itself - and also does not require any information about the current measurement cycle. The switch or
Die Amplitude nimmt mit dem Einschwingvorgang zu. Der Amplitudenverlauf beim Anregen folgt dabei einer Funktion vom typ
Zum Zeitpunkt t1 wird der Schalter geöffnet (Schalter in Position S1), der Schwinger schwingt hier gedämpft, die Amplitude zeigt das Abklingverhalten und in diesem Zeitraum wird die Schwingung hinsichtlich Frequenz und Amplitude ausgewertet. Zum Zeitpunkt t2 wird der Schalter wieder geschlossen, der Schwinger schwingt wieder hoch und die erzwungene Schwingung wird wieder angeregt. Dieser Vorgang wird periodisch wiederholt (t3, t4, ...)At time t1, the switch is opened (switch in position S1), the oscillator oscillates here damped, the amplitude shows the decay behavior and in this period the oscillation is evaluated with regard to frequency and amplitude. At time t2, the switch is closed again, the oscillator swings up again and the forced oscillation is excited again. This process is repeated periodically (t3, t4, ...)
Die Steuerung dieser Periode kann z.B. jeweils über das Amplitudensignal der Schwingung erfolgen, sowohl im Anschwingen als auch im Abklingen kann das Erreichen eines bestimmten Amplitudenwertes herangezogen werden und daraus die Periode zum Schalten von Schalter 19 herangezogen werden. Alternativ kann auch direkt ein nicht streng periodisches An- und Abschalten der Erregerverstärkung vorgenommen werden. Die Amplitude muss sich nicht bis 0 absinken (vollständiges Ausklingen) sondern es kann bereits früher wieder eingekoppelt werden.The control of this period can e.g. in each case take place via the amplitude signal of the oscillation, both in the oscillation and in the decay, the reaching of a certain amplitude value can be used and the period for switching
Dadurch ist es möglich die Periode bzw. Frequenz des Schwingers während des Abklingvorganges zu messen, und gleichzeitig alle implementierungsabhängigen Abweichungen der Erregung zu eliminieren, da diese während der Abklingmessung nicht auf den Schwinger beaufschlagt werden.This makes it possible to measure the period or frequency of the oscillator during the decay process, and at the same time to eliminate all implementation-dependent deviations in the excitation, since these are not applied to the oscillator during the decay measurement.
Des Weiteren kann die Messung der Frequenz des Schwingers mit einer Frequenzvergleichsmessung durchgeführt werden, welche sehr genau ist. (Phasendrift der Schwebung).Furthermore, the measurement of the frequency of the vibrator can be carried out with a frequency comparison measurement, which is very precise. (Phase drift of the beat).
Da die Erregung messinvariant ist, kann sehr schnell zwischen Abkling- und Erregungsmodus gewechselt werden (mehrmals pro Sekunde).Since the excitation is measurement-invariant, it is very quick to switch between decay and excitation mode (several times per second).
Bei einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung kann vorgesehen sein, dass der Abklingvorgang nach einem vorgegebenen Zeitintervall oder bei Erreichen eines vorgegebenen Amplitudenwertes unterbrochen und durch Extrapolation der erhaltenen Amplitudenwerte die Güte berechnet wird und/oder die Breite des Abklingfensters bzw. das für das Abklingen gewählte Zeitintervall konstant gehalten bzw. gewählt wird.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the decay process is interrupted after a predetermined time interval or when a predetermined amplitude value is reached and the quality is calculated by extrapolation of the amplitude values obtained and / or the width of the decay window or the time interval selected for the decay is constant is held or selected.
Der Abklingvorgang muss somit nicht vollständig erfolgen, da durch Extrapolation der Amplitudenwerte auch mit einem kleinen Amplitudenabfall die Güte berechnet werden kann. Somit kann das Abklingfenster eine konstante von der Befüllung des Schwingers unabhängige Breite haben. Die Genauigkeit der Gütemessung steigt somit mit fallender Güte, da der Amplitudenunterschied innerhalb des konstanten Abklingfensters größer wird -und somit die Differenz bezogen auf ein konstantes Rauschen.The decay process therefore does not have to take place completely, since the quality can be calculated by extrapolation of the amplitude values even with a small drop in amplitude. The decay window can thus have a constant width which is independent of the filling of the oscillator. The accuracy of the quality measurement thus increases with decreasing quality, since the difference in amplitude within the constant decay window increases - and thus the difference in relation to constant noise.
Bevorzugt wird das Intervall für das An- und Abschalten für den jeweiligen Schwinger festgelegt. In Abhängigkeit von Güte und Amplitude der untersuchten Resonanzschwingung kann die Dauer Δτ0:Δτ1 der Zeitintervalle für die Erregung durch das Abklingen im Verhältnis 1:1 bis 1:3 liegen. Dies wird auch durch die zur Verfügung stehende "Anrege-Energie", d.h. Spannung am Piezokristall, Strom durch die Spule, beeinflusst, da durch höhere eingebrachte Energie kürzere Anschwingzeiten realisierbar sind).The interval for switching on and off is preferably determined for the respective oscillator. Depending on the quality and amplitude of the resonance oscillation examined, the duration Δτ0: Δτ1 of the time intervals for the excitation by decay can be in a ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 3. This is also due to the available "excitation energy", i.e. Voltage at the piezo crystal, current through the coil, is affected, since shorter start-up times can be achieved through higher energy input).
Bevorzugt ist dabei vorgesehen, dass der Unterbrecher bzw. Schalter 19, der die Erregerverstärkung unterbricht, erst am Ausgang des Erregerverstärkerkreises angebracht wird. Damit kann der Schwingkreis der Erregerverstärkung auch im Unterbrechungsfall mit der Periode des Biegeschwingers in Phase gehalten werden und im Falle des Wiedereinschaltens der Erregerverstärkung kann durch die phasenrichtige Erregung rascher wieder die ursprüngliche Amplitude erreicht werden. Dabei kann sich der Erregerverstärker vor oder nach dem DAC befinden.It is preferably provided that the interrupter or switch 19, which interrupts the excitation amplification, is only attached to the output of the excitation amplifier circuit. In this way, the resonant circuit of the excitation amplification can be kept in phase with the period of the bending oscillator even in the event of an interruption, and if the excitation amplification is switched on again, the original amplitude can be reached again more quickly due to the in-phase excitation. The excitation amplifier can be located before or after the DAC.
Die abklingende Schwingung bzw. deren abklingender Sinus wird nach Frequenz und Amplitude analysiert und aus diesen beiden Werten wird in einer Auswerte- und Anzeigeeinheit die Dichte des im Schwinger befindlichen Mediums ermittelt. Durch weitere Verarbeitung der Signale können beispielsweise Viskositätskorrekturen und Füllfehlererkennungen durchgeführt werden. Die dafür benötigen Justierkurven und Justierkonstanten werden nach Justiermessungen an Standards bekannter Dichte und Viskosität in der Steuer- und Auswerteeinheit hinterlegt.The decaying oscillation or its decaying sine is analyzed for frequency and amplitude and from these two values the density of the medium in the oscillator is determined in an evaluation and display unit. By further processing the signals, for example, viscosity corrections and filling error detections can be carried out. The adjustment curves and adjustment constants required for this are stored in the control and evaluation unit after adjustment measurements on standards of known density and viscosity.
Die Messung der Abklingkurven kann dabei über beliebig lange Perioden erfolgen, beispielsweise erfolgt die Messung bei einem Metallschwinger mit 4..5 kHz Resonanzfrequenz (entsprechend einer Periodendauer von ca 200...250 µs) bei luftgefülltem Schwinger mit einer Abklingzeitdauer Δτ1 von ca. 65 msec.The decay curves can be measured over periods of any length, for example, for a metal oscillator with a resonance frequency of 4..5 kHz (corresponding to a period of approx. 200 ... 250 µs) for an air-filled oscillator with a decay time Δτ1 of approx. 65 msec.
Generell sind Abklingperioden von kleiner 1 sec bevorzugt, um die Messungen ausreichend rasch durchführen zu können. Bei hohen Güten entstehen lange Messzeiten, da sich durch die geringe Dämpfung die Amplitude des Schwingers nur langsam ändert. Die Wahl der Dauer der Abklingmessung erfolgt auch in Abhängigkeit von Genauigkeit, Elektronikkomponenten und Rechnerleistung.Decay periods of less than 1 second are generally preferred in order to be able to carry out the measurements sufficiently quickly. With high grades, long measurement times occur because the amplitude of the transducer changes only slowly due to the low damping. The duration of the decay measurement is also selected depending on the accuracy, electronic components and computing power.
Die Bestimmung von Frequenz und Amplitude kann beispielsweise mittels einer Fourier-Analyse geschehen, die Frequenzbestimmung auch beispielsweise direkt durch Mischen eines lokalen Oszillators mit dem Messsignal oder Bestimmung der Nulldurchgänge des Messsignals. Die Amplitude kann beispielsweise direkt frequenzunabhängig und instantan gemessen werden, mittels gleitender Maxima etc. Bei direkter Messung der Amplitude kann jedem einzelnen ADC Sample, also jedem einzelnen Messwert vom ADC, ein eigener Amplitudenwert zugeordnet werden.The frequency and amplitude can be determined, for example, by means of a Fourier analysis, and the frequency can also be determined, for example, directly by mixing a local oscillator with the measurement signal or by determining the zero crossings of the measurement signal. The amplitude can, for example, be measured directly and independently of frequency, by means of sliding maxima, etc. With direct measurement of the amplitude, each individual ADC sample, ie each individual measured value from the ADC, can be assigned its own amplitude value.
Dieser zentrale Baustein 8 einer digitalen Ausführung muss eine möglichst rasche Signalverarbeitung gewährleisten, dies kann z.B. mittels µ-Controller oder DSP (Digitale Signal Prozessor) umgesetzt werden. Aufgrund der erzielbaren Regelgeschwindigkeit wird bevorzugt ein FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) verwendet.This
Die prinzipiell in
Alternativ können anstelle der Piezoelemente beliebige elektrische Komponenten zur Anregung und Abnahme der Schwingung beispielsweise auch eine Kombination von stromdurchflossenen Spulen und Permanentmagneten verwendet werden. Anregung und Abnahme kann auch an anderen Stellen des Schwingers, z.B. seitlich an den Schenkeln, erfolgen. Dabei werden als Ausgangs- und Steuersignal die Spulenströme der Spulen verwendet.Alternatively, instead of the piezo elements, any electrical components can be used to excite and decrease the vibration, for example a combination of current-carrying coils and permanent magnets. Excitation and acceptance can also take place at other points on the transducer, e.g. on the side of the legs. The coil currents of the coils are used as the output and control signal.
Zentraler Bestandteil der Anordnung ist nunmehr ein elektronischer Schalter 9, der ebenfalls vom zentralen Baustein 8 gesteuert, d.h. periodisch geöffnet und geschlossen wird.A central component of the arrangement is now an electronic switch 9, which is also controlled by the
Die Frequenz- bzw. Periodendauerbestimmung der Schwingung des Biegeschwingers erfolgt durch Vergleich mit dem Signal eines lokalen Oszillators bzw. direkt durch Mischen eines lokalen Oszillators mit dem Messsignal bzw. Vergleich des Schwingungssignals eines lokalen Oszillators mit dem Messsignal.The frequency or period duration of the oscillation of the bending oscillator is determined by comparison with the signal of a local oscillator or directly by mixing a local oscillator with the measurement signal or comparison of the oscillation signal of a local oscillator with the measurement signal.
Es erfolgt dazu ein Frequenzvergleich des Eingangssignals ω1, das ist das Abnahmesignal vom Piezoelement 4, das die Periodendauer des Biegeschwingers liefert, mit dem Signal eines lokalen Oszillators ω2.For this purpose, a frequency comparison of the input signal ω1, that is the decrease signal from the
Multipliziert man die beiden Signale miteinander so gilt:
Der lokale Oszillator wird so geregelt, dass die beiden Frequenzen gleich groß sind und damit der erste Term zu einer reinen Amplitude (DC-Signal) wird, der zweite Term kann durch den großen Unterschied der Signale einfach gefiltert werden. Die Oberwelle für einen 4 kHz Schwinger würde hier mit ω1 = ω2 bei 8 kHz liegen.The local oscillator is controlled in such a way that the two frequencies are of the same size and thus the first term becomes a pure amplitude (DC signal), the second term can can be easily filtered due to the large difference in the signals. The harmonic for a 4 kHz oscillator would be 8 kHz with ω1 = ω2.
Um die Genauigkeit zu steigern und/oder die Viskositätskorrektur mit zwei unterschiedlichen resonanten Schwingungen zu ermitteln, wird den Schwinger nicht nur in einer resonanten Mode anzuregen, sondern gleichzeitig eine zweite resonante Mode, z.B. die erste Oberwelle, mit dem Erregerverstärker anzuregen. Dies kann im Falle eines digitalen Erregerverstärkers zeitgleich durch Überlagerung der jeweiligen Anregungssignale erfolgen.In order to increase the accuracy and / or to determine the viscosity correction with two different resonant vibrations, the vibrator will not only be excited in one resonant mode, but at the same time a second resonant mode, e.g. the first harmonic to excite with the excitation amplifier. In the case of a digital excitation amplifier, this can be done simultaneously by superimposing the respective excitation signals.
Zur Auswertung dieser beiden Schwingungen wird ein zusätzlicher Filter 10 vorgesehen, der das Antwortsignal des Biegeschwingers wieder in die beiden Frequenzen trennt.To evaluate these two vibrations, an
Die frequenzunabhängige und instantane Amplitudenmessung ordnet jedem einzelnen ADC-Sample einen eigenen Amplitudenwert zu, sodass nicht über eine ganze Schwingungsperiode gemessen werden muss.The frequency-independent and instantaneous amplitude measurement assigns each individual ADC sample its own amplitude value, so that measurements do not have to be carried out over an entire oscillation period.
Dies wird dadurch erreicht, dass der lokale Oszillator anstelle der üblichen reellen Sinus-Darstellung (y=sin(ωt)) als komplexer Rotor realisiert wird:
Die Signalamplitude wird mittels Transformation der kartesischen Darstellung des ADC-Signals in Polarkoordinaten ermittelt:
Weiters ist eine amplitudenunabhängige Bestimmung der aktuellen Phase möglich:
Da zu jedem einzelnen Eingangssample ein entsprechender komplexer Datenpunkt zugeordnet werden kann, ist auch eine instantane Bestimmung der Phasenlage des Schwingers möglich. Mittels einfacher Differentiation der Phase kann somit die Periode bzw. Frequenz berechnet werden. Diese Messung ist dadurch unabhängig von der Amplitudenmessung bzw. der aktuellen Schwingerfrequenz.Furthermore, an amplitude-independent determination of the current phase is possible:
Since a corresponding complex data point can be assigned to each individual input sample, an instantaneous determination of the phase position of the oscillator is also possible. The period or frequency can thus be calculated by simply differentiating the phase. This measurement is therefore independent of the amplitude measurement or the current oscillator frequency.
Erfindungsgemäß ist ferner ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Messung der Dichte aus der Periodendauer einer resonanten Schwingungsmode eines Biegeschwingers vorgesehen, wobei der Schwinger mit einer Erregerverstärker-Schaltung in resonante ungedämpfte Schwingung versetzt wird, welches Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der Schwinger während eines Zeitintervalls Δt1 durch einen Erregerverstärker in erzwungene ungedämpfte Schwingung versetzt wird,die Anregung der erzwungenen Schwingung periodisch unterbrochen wird, wobei der Schwinger danach während eines Zeitintervalls Δt2 frei und gemäß seiner Güte gedämpft schwingt, wobei die Periode der freien gedämpften Schwingung für die Dichtebestimmung herangezogen wird, und nach der Messung der Schwinger wieder zu ungedämpften Schwingung angeregt wird. Ausgestaltet wird dieses Verfahren mit den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 2 bis 8.According to the invention, a method according to the invention for measuring the density from the period of a resonant oscillation mode of a flexural oscillator is also provided, the oscillator being set into resonant undamped oscillation with an excitation amplifier circuit, which method is characterized in that the oscillator passes through Δt 1 during a time interval an excitation amplifier is forced into undamped oscillation, the excitation of the forced oscillation is interrupted periodically, the oscillator then vibrating freely and damped according to its quality during a time interval Δt 2 , the period of the free damped oscillation being used for the density determination, and after the measurement of the vibrators is again excited to undamped vibration. This method is designed with the features of
Ferner kann ein Steuer- und/oder Regelkreis für ein Verfahren zur Dichtemessung obiger Art dadurch gekennzeichnet sein, dass im Erregerschaltkreis, der den Schwinger zur ungedämpften Schwingung anregt, ein Unterbrecher vorgesehen ist, der wiederholbar in definierten Zeitintervallen zwischen dem Erregerkreis zur ungedämpften Schwingung des Biegeschwingers und ohne Vorgabe einer Erregung gedämpft schwingendem Biegeschwinger umschaltet und die Periode der Schwingung zur Ermittlung der Dichte bei offenem Erregerkreis gemessen wird. Ausgestaltet wird dieser Steuer- bzw. Regelkreis mit den Merkmalen der Ansprüche 9 bis 13.Furthermore, a control and / or regulating circuit for a method for density measurement of the above type can be characterized in that an interrupter is provided in the excitation circuit, which excites the oscillator for undamped oscillation, which is repeatable at defined time intervals between the excitation circuit for undamped oscillation of the bending oscillator and without specifying an excitation, the damping oscillating bending oscillator switches over and the period of the oscillation is measured to determine the density with an open excitation circuit. This control or regulating circuit is designed with the features of claims 9 to 13.
Bevorzugt ist der Unterbrecher bzw. Schalter 19, der die Erregerverstärkung unterbricht, am Ausgang des Erregerverstärkerkreises angebracht. Damit kann der Schwingkreis der Erregerverstärkung auch im Unterbrechungsfall mit der Periode des Biegeschwingers 1 in Phase gehalten werden und im Falle des Wiedereinschaltens kann der Erregerverstärker durch die phasenrichtige Erregung rascher wieder die ursprüngliche Amplitude erreicht werden. Dabei kann sich der Erregerverstärker vor oder nach dem DAC befinden.The interrupter or switch 19, which interrupts the excitation amplification, is preferably attached to the output of the excitation amplifier circuit. In this way, the resonant circuit of the excitation amplification can be kept in phase with the period of the bending
Von Vorteil ist es ferner, wenn der Unterbrecher nach dem Erregerverstärker in der Erregerverstärkerschaltung eingebaut ist und das verstärkte Ausgangssignal für die Verstärkerschaltung mit dem Biegeschwinger in Phase bleibt. Damit wird sichergestellt, dass die Erregerverstärkerschaltung mit dem Schwinger in Phase bleibt. Wenn der Schalter wieder geschlossen wird, muss sich die Frequenz der erzwungenen Schwingung nicht wieder neu einstellen, sondern wird gleich mit der richtigen Phasenbeziehung "erzwungen".It is also advantageous if the interrupter is installed after the excitation amplifier in the excitation amplifier circuit and the amplified output signal for the amplifier circuit remains in phase with the bending oscillator. This ensures that the excitation amplifier circuit remains in phase with the oscillator. When the switch is closed again, the frequency of the forced oscillation does not have to reset, but is "forced" with the correct phase relationship.
Claims (15)
- Method for determining the density of fluids from the period duration of a resonant oscillation mode of a flexural resonator with U-shaped oscillating tube, wherein the resonator is set into resonant undamped oscillation with an excitation amplified circuit,- wherein the resonator during a time interval Δt1 is set by means of an excitation amplifier into forced undamped oscillation,- wherein the excitation of the forced oscillation is periodically interrupted for a time interval Δt2,- wherein the resonator during the time interval Δt2 of the interruption is allowed to oscillate in a damped manner freely and in accordance with its quality,- wherein in this time interval Δt2 the period of this free, damped oscillation is used for determining the density, and- wherein after the measurement of the periods of the free, damped oscillation the resonator is again excited to resonant, undamped oscillation,wherein at least two resonant oscillation modes of the resonator are evaluated by means of superimposing, simultaneously excited by the excitation amplifier and oscillating freely.
- Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the free, damped oscillation is evaluated also with respect to its phase and/or amplitude, and with these parameters a viscosity correction of the determined density value is undertaken.
- Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the determination of the period duration of the oscillation is carried out by means of frequency comparison with a local resonator.
- Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the amplitude determination is carried out directly by means of coordinate transformation of the measuring signal.
- Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the periodic switching-on and switching-off of the excitation circuit is carried out for predetermined, fixed, preferably equally long time intervals and/or that the switching-on and switching-off of the excitation circuit is regulated by means of the amplitude values of the damped and/or undamped oscillation.
- Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the time interval Δt1 of the excitation amplification is in a fixed relationship to the time interval Δt2 of the period measurement
wherein the ratio Δt1: Δt2 is preferably in the range between 1:1 to 1:3. - Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in- that the excitation circuit remains closed until the forced resonance oscillation of the resonator reaches its maximum amplitude, and/or- that both the period duration and the amplitude of the forced resonant oscillation are determined only after the uncoupling of the exciter.
- Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in
that the decaying procedure is interrupted after a predetermined time interval or when a predetermined amplitude value is reached and by extrapolation of the obtained amplitude values the quality is calculated and/or the breadth of the decay window or the time interval selected for the decaying is kept or selected as constant. - Controlling and/or regulating circuit, in particular for carrying out a method for measuring density according to any of claims 1 to 8, having- an excitation circuit, which during operation is connected with a flexural resonator having a U-shaped oscillating tube, wherein
in the excitation circuit, which excites the resonator to undamped oscillating, an interrupter or switch (9, 19) is provided which repeats, or for periodically defined time intervals (Δt2) interrupts, the excitation of the flexural resonator (1), at which time intervals (Δt2) the flexural resonator (1) swings freely in a damped manner without the addition of an excitation,
and
the interrupter or switch (19), which interrupts the excitation amplification, is installed at the output of the excitation amplification circuit, wherein
the oscillation circuit for the amplification circuit and the flexural resonator (1), in the case of interruption, oscillate in phase,- a measuring and evaluating unit which measures the periods of the damped free oscillation for determining the density of the fluid to be examined and uses them to determine the density of the fluid, wherein
the measuring and evaluating unit includes an additional filter (10) which is configured for separating into the respective superimposed frequencies of the response signal. - Controlling and regulating circuit for a flexural resonator according to claim 9, characterised in that for the switching into the forced oscillation in the excitation circuit in each case one regulation circuit (8) is provided which, when a specific amplitude value for the damped free oscillation is reached, undertakes the switching.
- Controlling and/or regulating circuit for a flexural resonator according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the control means prescribes fixed time intervals Δt1 and/or Δt2 for the switching or the measuring and evaluating unit.
- Controlling and/or regulating circuit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interrupter (9, 19) is wired between the excitation amplifier and the flexural resonator (1) or its exciter.
- Controlling and/or regulating circuit according to any of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that both the period duration and the amplitude of the forced resonant oscillation are determined only after the decoupling of the exciter.
- Flexural resonator having a U-shaped oscillating tube and having a controlling and/or regulating circuit according to any of claims 9 to 13.
- Measuring device having a flexural resonator having a U-shaped oscillating tube and having a controlling and/or regulating circuit according to any of claims 9 to 14.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ATA777/2014A AT516420B1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2014-10-20 | Method and device for determining the density of a fluid |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3012612A1 EP3012612A1 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
EP3012612B1 true EP3012612B1 (en) | 2020-01-01 |
Family
ID=54325459
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15189886.3A Active EP3012612B1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2015-10-15 | Method and device for determining the density of a fluid |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10119895B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3012612B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6482449B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105527192B (en) |
AT (1) | AT516420B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT516302B1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-06-15 | Anton Paar Gmbh | Method and device for determining the filling quality of a bending vibrator |
AT520318B1 (en) | 2017-11-06 | 2019-03-15 | Mettler Toledo Gmbh | Density measuring device for determining the density of fluid media |
AT520632B1 (en) * | 2018-01-29 | 2019-06-15 | Anton Paar Gmbh | Method for measuring the density of a medium flowing through a pipe or located in a pipe |
AT522151B1 (en) | 2018-12-21 | 2020-09-15 | Anton Paar Gmbh | Procedure for cleaning a viscometer |
WO2020223749A1 (en) | 2019-05-03 | 2020-11-12 | Anton Paar Gmbh | Method for checking the state of a temperature sensor of a density sensor |
DE102022104281A1 (en) | 2021-02-26 | 2022-09-01 | Ast (Advanced Sensor Technologies) International Asset Gmbh | Sensor for detecting at least one property of a fluid and fluid container |
Family Cites Families (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT280662B (en) * | 1967-03-21 | 1970-04-27 | Otto Dr Kratky | Device for measuring density |
JPS5922515Y2 (en) * | 1976-07-20 | 1984-07-05 | 横河電機株式会社 | Vibrating density meter |
JPS5842927Y2 (en) * | 1976-10-29 | 1983-09-28 | 横河電機株式会社 | Vibrating density meter |
US4491009A (en) * | 1983-06-10 | 1985-01-01 | Micro Motion, Inc. | Electronic circuit for vibrating tube densimeter |
CN87202553U (en) * | 1987-02-24 | 1988-01-13 | 刘光 | Electronic hydrometer |
GB8705757D0 (en) * | 1987-03-11 | 1987-04-15 | Schlumberger Electronics Uk | Fluid transducer |
AT395074B (en) * | 1990-11-22 | 1992-09-10 | Hans Dr Stabinger | DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE DENSITY OF LIQUIDS AND GAS FROM THE PERIOD OF A VIBRATOR FILLED WITH A PREPARATION |
DE19840904A1 (en) * | 1998-09-08 | 2000-03-09 | Heinrichs Messgeraete Josef | Determining density of fluid flowing through vibrating pipe section based on known mass and inner volume of pipe section for determining spring constant of pipe section and total mass |
US6688176B2 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2004-02-10 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Single tube densitometer |
JP2002148139A (en) * | 2000-11-07 | 2002-05-22 | Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd | Instrument and method for measuring natural frequency of tape |
DE10237931A1 (en) * | 2002-08-14 | 2004-02-26 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Fixed, filling level monitoring, density, and viscosity measurement device, comprises a vibrator fixed at a chosen level, with a microprocessor to control feedback electronics to provide a constant phase-frequency response |
US7059176B2 (en) * | 2003-06-18 | 2006-06-13 | Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc. | Resonant tube viscosity sensing device |
CN2646696Y (en) * | 2003-10-17 | 2004-10-06 | 郑吉鹏 | A liquid density measuring apparatus |
DE10356383B4 (en) * | 2003-12-03 | 2007-06-21 | Abb Patent Gmbh | Mass flow meter |
US7716995B2 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2010-05-18 | Micro Motion, Inc. | Coriolis flow meter and method for determining flow characteristics |
DE102005044930B3 (en) * | 2005-09-20 | 2007-06-14 | Seppeler-Stiftung für Flug- und Fahrwesen | Fluid`s e.g. liquid, density measuring method, involves periodically exciting measuring tube for oscillation in fixed time intervals by electromagnet, where tube freely oscillates along period between two excitations of electromagnet |
DE102005062001A1 (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2007-06-28 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Gaseous medium`s measured value determination and/or monitoring method, involves determining characteristic of oscillations of mechanically oscillatable unit, and determining measured value based on comparison of characteristic with curve |
US7735353B2 (en) * | 2006-06-20 | 2010-06-15 | Rudolph Research Analytical | Method and apparatus for oscillating a test sample |
DE102006033819A1 (en) * | 2006-07-19 | 2008-01-24 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable of a medium |
DE102006034105A1 (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2008-01-24 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable of a medium |
DE102007013557A1 (en) * | 2006-08-02 | 2008-02-14 | Endress + Hauser Gmbh + Co. Kg | Device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable of a medium |
CN101595372A (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2009-12-02 | Abb专利有限公司 | The method and the corresponding instrument of operation vibratory measuring instrument |
CN201707277U (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2011-01-12 | 范凯 | High-precision fluid density measurement sensor |
CN201673102U (en) * | 2010-05-10 | 2010-12-15 | 中国海洋石油总公司 | Densimeter |
AT12626U1 (en) * | 2011-03-11 | 2012-09-15 | Messtechnik Dr Hans Stabinger Gmbh Lab F | DENSITY MEASURING DEVICE |
-
2014
- 2014-10-20 AT ATA777/2014A patent/AT516420B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2015
- 2015-10-15 EP EP15189886.3A patent/EP3012612B1/en active Active
- 2015-10-19 JP JP2015205549A patent/JP6482449B2/en active Active
- 2015-10-20 US US14/887,811 patent/US10119895B2/en active Active
- 2015-10-20 CN CN201510678471.2A patent/CN105527192B/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP6482449B2 (en) | 2019-03-13 |
CN105527192B (en) | 2021-01-12 |
US20160109347A1 (en) | 2016-04-21 |
AT516420B1 (en) | 2016-11-15 |
JP2016080708A (en) | 2016-05-16 |
CN105527192A (en) | 2016-04-27 |
US10119895B2 (en) | 2018-11-06 |
EP3012612A1 (en) | 2016-04-27 |
AT516420A1 (en) | 2016-05-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3012612B1 (en) | Method and device for determining the density of a fluid | |
DE102005035717B4 (en) | Oscillation-based angular acceleration sensor system | |
DE69504815T2 (en) | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OSCILLATING SYSTEM | |
EP3729015A1 (en) | Vibronic sensor | |
EP2798319B1 (en) | Device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable | |
EP3472578B1 (en) | Vibronic sensor and method of operating a vibronic sensor | |
DE102007043811A1 (en) | Method for determining and / or monitoring the viscosity and corresponding device | |
DE102004014920B4 (en) | Angular velocity sensor device | |
DE102010028303A1 (en) | Device for determining and / or monitoring a process variable of a medium | |
EP0487498B1 (en) | Device for determining the density of liquids and gases from the period of an oscillator filled with a material | |
DE102008039012B4 (en) | Method for operating a resonance measuring system and resonance measuring system | |
EP2677284A2 (en) | Method for operating a resonance measuring system and corresponding resonance measuring system | |
EP1825218B1 (en) | Method for controlling/regulating a physical quantity of a dynamic system | |
DE19720519C2 (en) | Device for determining and / or monitoring a fill level of a medium in a container | |
EP3196605A1 (en) | Method for operating a coriolis mass flow meter and coriolis mass flow meter | |
DE102012011932B4 (en) | Method for operating a resonance measuring system and related resonance measuring system | |
EP0923715B1 (en) | Method of stimulating an oscillator control for capacitive measurement of strength, acceleration and/or rotation speed | |
AT516556B1 (en) | Measuring system with resonant sensors and method for operating a resonator | |
WO2008152060A1 (en) | Method for measurement and/or monitoring of a flow parameter and corresponding device | |
EP1059515A1 (en) | Mass flow rate measuring circuit for a mass flow/density meter | |
AT508679A4 (en) | SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS | |
DE102015003196B4 (en) | Device and method for residual value processing when activating a sensor | |
DE102007059804B4 (en) | Method of operating a vibration-type measuring device | |
EP0568521A1 (en) | Device for determining density | |
AT403216B (en) | Method for non-contacting determination of electrical measurement variables |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20161027 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20181115 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20191007 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: NOT ENGLISH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1220373 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20200115 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 502015011375 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: KAMINSKI HARMANN PATENTANWAELTE AG, CH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20200101 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200401 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200527 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200401 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200501 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200402 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 502015011375 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20201002 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20201015 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20201031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20201031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20201015 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200101 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20231020 Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20231026 Year of fee payment: 9 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20231020 Year of fee payment: 9 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20231102 Year of fee payment: 9 Ref country code: AT Payment date: 20231009 Year of fee payment: 9 |